Expert: Jackson Would Have Earned $1B on Comeback

Jackson had signed on for only 50 shows in London, although contracts for the shows indicated a longer tour was a possibility.

Jurors will have to determine the amount of any damages in the case if they find AEG Live is liable for Jackson’s death.

Erk said Jackson contemplated doing a Las Vegas show based on his music and archival footage that would have generated new royalties for the singer. Plaintiff’s attorney Kevin Boyle said the estimates anticipated the Vegas show would run 10 years.

Jackson also contemplated a film career, according to testimony from his nephew Taj Jackson and the singer’s longtime creative collaborator, Kenny Ortega. Erk will not offer any estimates on how much Jackson may have earned if he had a successful film career.

Erk is testifying as an expert witness. The accountant also performed royalty audits on companies that released Jackson’s music during the height of his popularity in the 1980s, he said.